Years ago, when Darilyn Bedel asked her father his biggest fear, he replied “being forgotten”.  After the recent passing of Darilyn’s mother, Darilyn and Ron Bedel decided to eliminate her father’s fear from becoming a possibility and established the Darrell and Marilyn Bills Community Fund, an unrestricted endowment fund that will forever give back to Rush County.

Darrell and Marilyn were married 60 years and resided the majority of that time in Milroy.  They raised their three children, Darilyn, Rick, and Janet there, instilling the values of hard work and family by setting a strong example for their children.  Darrell and Marilyn lead a simple, but full, life.  They both worked full-time and ensured that the time outside of their work hours were devoted to family.  In their later years, Darrell and Marilyn enjoyed sitting on their front porch on Main Street in Milroy.  They loved the new street lights installed in Milroy and each night found joy in waiting for the lights to come on at dusk.

Establishing a fund to support the community that Darrell and Marilyn raised their family and called “home” was an easy decision for the Bedels.  Darilyn has seen the impact of unrestricted funds first-hand through grants awarded to organizations she volunteers with, and she recognized the opportunity to preserve her parents’ legacy in their beloved community while making a difference in the community at-large.  The current $2 : $1 match for donations to unrestricted endowment funds made the opportunity to establish a named fund even more enticing.

“Determining how to best honor your parents’ after they are gone is a big decision, and I know it is a decision that Darilyn and Ron did not take lightly.  The Foundation is privileged to have this responsibility; we look forward to using these funds, contributed in Darrell and Marilyn’s name, to make Rush County a better place.  It is our hope that the Bills’ children, 6 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild will enjoy a community better than Darrell and Marilyn left it, made possible through a fund in their name,” stated Alisa Winters, RCCF Executive Director.

Unrestricted endowment funds, commonly referred to as “community grant funds”, provide support to the community at-large through competitive grant disbursement.  Because of their flexibility, these funds provide a wide range of impact.  Since the first award in 1994, these funds have impacted 112 nonprofit organizations serving Rush County through $1.1 million in grants.  The Darrell and Marilyn Bills Community Fund will enhance the Foundation’s giving and forever impact Rush County nonprofits and the people, programs, and projects that they support.

If you would like to make a donation to this Fund you may send your donation to the Rush County Community Foundation, 117 N Main St, Rushville, IN 46173 with a note included that you would like it added to the Darrell and Marilyn Bills Community Fund.  Donations to the Darrell and Marilyn Bills Community Fund, and other unrestricted endowment funds, are being matched $2 for $1 by Lilly Endowment Inc.’s GIFT VII initiative for a limited time!

Meeting the philanthropic needs of Rush County since 1991, The Rush County Community Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit public charity established  to serve donors, award grants and scholarships, and provide leadership to enrich and enhance the quality of life in Rush County, Indiana, not only today, but for our future generations.  For more information please visit or contact the office at 117 N. Main St., Rushville, IN 46173, or call (765) 938-1177.